Dave McGary (1958-2013) "The Honor Dress," 2006 -

Updated September 18, 2026

This auction ended on October 4, 2026. See upcoming auctions from Oakwood Auctions.

Lot number	226
Estimate	12,500.00 - 17,500.00 USD
Auction	October Art & Collectibles- 2-DAY Auction
Date	October 4, 2026 at 11:00 PM EDT
Auction house	Oakwood Auctions
Location	Stouffville

Dave McGary (American, 1958-2013), The Honor Dress, 2006, monumental Masterwork polychromed bronze from the artist's celebrated Native American Women's Series, signed and numbered 1/40. Measuring approximately 33 inches high and presented on its substantial shaped wood plinth, this is the largest full-figure Masterwork version of the composition, officially documented by McGary Studios at 33 x 20 x 17 inches and issued in an exceptionally limited edition of only 40. The present sculpture bears the artist's incised signature, distinctive thumbprint impression and edition number 1/40 in the bronze, while the wood base is engraved "The Honor Dress - Dave McGary." As the lowest possible numbered example within the 40-piece Masterwork edition, it occupies an especially desirable position for the advanced collector. The Honor Dress ranks among McGary's most visually commanding and technically elaborate figurative compositions. The subject is a warrior's widow honoring her departed husband while wearing a rare hand-painted ceremonial dress decorated with imagery representing his accomplishments. She carries his buffalo robe, war bonnet and shield, transforming the figure into an extraordinary sculptural meditation on remembrance, honor and cultural tradition. The James Museum's published discussion of the work specifically identifies it as bronze with patina and acrylic paint and notes McGary's remarkable ability to render anatomy, gesture, hide, hair, fabric and beadwork with extraordinary realism. Viewed in the round, the exceptional complexity of this example becomes fully apparent. The sweeping feather assemblage extends dramatically around the figure, with scores of individually modeled feathers arranged into broad cascading passages that create an imposing silhouette from virtually every viewing angle. Equally accomplished are the finely modeled braided hair, earrings and necklace, intricate multicolored beadwork, fringed hide garments, pictographic decoration, richly textured buffalo robe, shield and other ceremonial elements. Contrasting patinas and carefully applied polychrome coloration give the bronze an unusual visual richness, allowing McGary to differentiate beadwork, leather, feathers, hair, textiles and painted decoration while retaining the permanence and sculptural authority of bronze. McGary was particularly recognized for combining rigorous figurative modeling with extensive research into his Native American subjects and for employing color to heighten the extraordinary detail of his bronze sculpture. His studio describes a working process built upon extensive research and consultation before modeling began, followed by close attention to anatomy, posture and character. The Honor Dress is identified by McGary Studios as a 2006 work from the Native American Women's Series and was produced in four scales, with the present 33-inch Masterwork restricted to only 40 examples, substantially fewer than the smaller maquet

Dave McGary (1958-2013) "The Honor Dress," 2006 -

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